Todd Graham and Pitt working on a deal

by **CalallenStang** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:15 pm

http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/ind ... rs-part-ii

As I reported last night, Tulsa coach Todd Graham and Pitt officials are talking about the framework of a contract to make Graham the next head coach of Pitt.

And late last night for the first time since this process began, a source told me that Graham believes Pitt may just step up enough with its offer to get this deal done.

And while I'm told the job hasn't officially been offered to Graham yet, that is more semantics than anything else because they aren't going to officially offer the job to anyone until they are sure he is going to take it and right now they are trying to finish an offer that they know he would at least consider taking.

by **NickSMU17** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:32 pm

DId we lose any recruiting battles to Tulsa this year?

Wonder who they will replace him with...

by **smupony94** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:36 pm

Malzahn

by **mrydel** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:38 pm

smupony94 wrote:Malzahn

No way but I hear that Graham is talking to Patterson about being his defensive coordinator.

by **smupony94** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:40 pm

mrydel wrote:
smupony94 wrote:Malzahn

No way but I hear that Graham is talking to Patterson about being his defensive coordinator.

You heard it first - Todd Dodge to Tulsa

Anyways the Penn State guy will be hired at Pitt

by **NickSMU17** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:42 pm

A source tells Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the interviews on Sunday of former Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Stanford associate head coach Greg Roman will conclude the first round of interviews in this second search, so the box to the right likely represents all of the candidates under consideration.

However, the source also said that officials have been discussing the parameters of a deal with Tulsa coach Todd Graham, and that the two sides are closer now than they were the first time around, when Graham was eliminated because of salary requirements. (Graham makes $1.3 million and is said to be asking closer to $2 million, whereas Dave Wannstedt's base was close to Graham's current salary and Michael Haywood was believed to have been offered a similar package.)

Zeise stresses that Graham has not been offered the job, but he writes: "I'm told if it doesn't work with Graham, the next guy would be (Penn State DC) Tom Bradley, but that it is right now centered on trying to see if Pitt can work out the money with Graham." As a first-time head coach Bradley isn't expected to command as much money as Graham, so Pitt is confident it could tie up Bradley.

At any rate, it sounds as if an announcement could be made by Monday.

by **Junior** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:01 pm

Todd Graham job-hopping?

Wow, didn't see that one coming?

by **Pony_Law** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:36 pm

This is why I'm so Glad Graham is not our coach, It was obvious he has no loyalty what so ever and would bail the second a bigger job was offered, Sorry Tulsa but you get what you pay for

by **03Mustang** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:55 pm

Pony_Law wrote:This is why I'm so Glad Graham is not our coach, It was obvious he has no loyalty what so ever and would bail the second a bigger job was offered, Sorry Tulsa but you get what you pay for

You are kidding yourself if you think that more than a tiny minority of coaches have loyalty like that. There are MAYBE 3-4 guys in college sports that fit that category, and our coach isn't one of them.

by **SMU2007** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:06 pm

03Mustang wrote:
Pony_Law wrote:This is why I'm so Glad Graham is not our coach, It was obvious he has no loyalty what so ever and would bail the second a bigger job was offered, Sorry Tulsa but you get what you pay for

You are kidding yourself if you think that more than a tiny minority of coaches have loyalty like that. There are MAYBE 3-4 guys in college sports that fit that category, and our coach isn't one of them.

Yea no kidding. I think people overestimate loyalty when it comes to guys trying to make a living as a coach. They stay because they like their job or they leave because it's an improvement. I doubt there's many out there who stay out of pure loyalty

by **Junior** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:30 pm

JoePa

by **smupony94** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:26 pm

who got the job? Graham or the dude from Penn State? Tom Bradley

by **PoconoPony** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:40 pm

03Mustang wrote:
Pony_Law wrote:This is why I'm so Glad Graham is not our coach, It was obvious he has no loyalty what so ever and would bail the second a bigger job was offered, Sorry Tulsa but you get what you pay for

You are kidding yourself if you think that more than a tiny minority of coaches have loyalty like that. There are MAYBE 3-4 guys in college sports that fit that category, and our coach isn't one of them.

I can name two totally loyal coaches; Wannsteadt and Friedgen. Sometimes it is the school who has no patience, vision or loyalty.

by **Pony_Law** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:55 pm

What I mean by loyalty is not they will stay there forever but they are committed to acomplishing the job they were hired to do, June was hired to rebuild us into a self sustaining competative football program and he is commited to it (hence turning down MD). graham on the other hand is always looking to upgrade regardless if he has acomplished anything at the place he is currently at, I mean he singns an extension with rice and then jumps to tulsa as soon as he is given the chance, He has 1 decent year there (doesn't win the division or conference) and is ready to jump ship again.

by **ponyboy** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:01 pm

But he jumped back home. This is a surprise to me.